Starting the year off bright

December 27, 2013

The coming of the new year offers a time to reflect, release and move on, and First Night State College has the outlet for doing just that.

The family-oriented, alcohol-free, art- and music-centered New Year celebration held in venues throughout downtown State College will mark its 20th year Tuesday.

"We have about 30 musical performances in downtown churches. They range from classical to rock and roll. So we have jazz, we have bluegrass, we have folk. We have something for pretty much every musical taste, at least I like to think so," said Rick Bryant, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which produces the event. "We have some fitness events. You can go ice skating. You can go on a 5K run or you can even take a belly dance workshop."

Article Photos

Courtesy photoEdison’s Clothesline gives First Night State College attendees a chance to make their resolutions tangible.

The event's trademark ice sculptures will be put on display on South Allen Street and at Sidney Friedman Park.

First Night State College 2014 will feature three variety acts - Hilby, a German-American juggler/comedian; Joe Holiday, an award-winning magician with a family-friendly act; and Jonathan Burns, a comedian and contortionist.

Fact Box

If you go

What: First Night State College

When: 10 a.m. to midnight Tuesday, Dec. 31

Where: Venues throughout downtown State College

Admission: a $10 2014 First Night button offers general admission to all indoor performances and provides funding for outdoor programming. Most outdoor events do not require a button. Children 5 and younger do not need a button if accompanied by an adult wearing a button. Buttons are available online at www.firstnightstatecollege.com or at State College retail outlets and at each venue.

Burns, who lives in Lancaster but grew up in Johnstown, has performed in locations throughout the world. He has appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Jay Leno Show."

"I call it a comedy, contortionist and stunt show," Burns said of his act. "It's sort of hard to describe, but I do a lot of tricks with everyday objects, and it's a very interactive comedy show. It's great for all ages."

Burns first performed at First Night State College in 2006, and said he had a "great time."

First Night State College resolution exhibits will give revelers the chance to make regrets or resolutions tangible.

The "super-popular" Edison's Clothesline, where silver discs of paper with resolutions written on them are attached to a line, is one of a few ways attendees can release their resolutions, Bryant said.

The First Night Phoenix and the Gravity Powered Fortune Matrix are two new installations from designer Bill Godfrey of Tarentum.

The Gravity Powered Fortune Matrix will give people a chance to receive a random chance prediction such as, "You'll find great love," or "You're going on a trip," he said.

The two-story high Phoenix's tail will have an area where people can tie their regrets or dreams, which will go into the bonfire at the end of the evening, Godfrey said.

"It's just a way of reflecting and thinking about the future and thinking about sort of burning past regrets and moving on to a brighter future," Godfrey said of the Phoenix bird.